What's different about the 50f1.4 AFS?

That’s been a popular question today. Since day 1, the 50f1.4 has been a 52mm filter size so it’s not too much of a stretch to think the basic optical formula hasn’t changed much. And as such, the 50f1.4 up to the AFS model has been a solid performer. Now the 50f1.4AFS has a 58mm filter size. Yeah, the optical formula has been changed and whatever mods they made in that redesign makes this “normal” lens a stand out.

There is the “sweet spot” contingency out there that with their charts do show very accurately that lenses tend to have one f/stop that is sharper than the rest. Guess what, I never even take that into consideration. Most folks destroy more image quality by their post processing then they might have ever gained by using the “sweet spot.” With that said, I own fast lenses like the 50f1.4 AFS to shoot them wide open. The 50f1.4AFS performs beautifully wide open, hence it’s in the camera bag. This next week shooting in NY, you’ll see what I’m referring to.

So the difference in the 50f1.4AFS, a whole new optical design and it’s a sweetie!